Gravel protesters lobby Oxfordshire's County Hall (From thisisoxfordshire)

Gravel protesters lobby Oxfordshire's County Hall

6:47pm Thursday 12th November 2009

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CAMPAIGNERS opposing plans to extract sand and gravel west of Oxford protested outside County Hall tonight.

Next week a public inquiry will be held into whether 1.55m tonnes of sand and gravel can be extracted from a 146-acre site at Stonehenge Farm in Northmoor.

The inquiry is being held because county councillors went against the advice of their own officers to refuse planning permission for the scheme 12 months ago.

The application was turned down after villagers, backed by Witney MP David Cameron, raised fears that the plan could increase the risk of flooding in the area and cause traffic problems.

At County Hall today, councillors met to discuss how to approach the inquiry.

Standlake residents Jane Dodds, a member of campaign group Outrage, said: “We are a small rural community that has had gravel extracted from the area for years. Enough is enough.”

Next week’s hearing will be held in Northmoor Village Hall and will start on Tuesday.

Picture: Mark Hemsworth

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